Drill rig



Jan. 31, 1967 Filed June 25, 1964 l. D. ODGERS ETAL DRILL RIG 3, Sheets-Sheet 2 s 40 5 f INVENTORS.

IRA D. ODGERS MARLOWE A. NELSON WALTER W. SVENDSEN find/ 15 qi StarKe iorneys D. ODGERS ETAL 3,301,334

DRILL RIG Jan. 31, 1967 5 Shets-SheetS Filed June 25, 1964 if; 29 a? 5:: EM 2 TE I "1 '1 6! 73L :2? H 38 60 h 59 7. I 6 f 62 INVENTORS. I 27 IRA 0. ODGERS J MARLOWE A NELSON BY WALTER w. SVENDSEN find/"us 6f Sta/K2 Attorneys United States Patent 3,301,334 DRILL RIG Ira D. Odgers and Marlowe A. Nelson, Iron River, and Walter W. Svendsen, Gaastra, 'Mich., assignors to Odgers Drilling Inc., Iron River, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed June 25, 1964, Ser. No. 378,016 7 Claims. (Cl. 173-43) This invention relates to a drill rig, and more particularly to an apparatus adaptable for use in diamond core drilling.

Tht need for obtaining earth core samples has substantially increased over the years. Yet, the apparatus used in obtaining such samples has changed almost imperceptibly during this century. All prior apparatus known to the inventors were limited in their usefulness in performing the many operations required in todays modern drilling. Angle drilling was difficult.

The present invention provides a substantial departure from previous earth drilling concepts 'and provides a unique combination of elements capable of outperforming many previous devices. Generally, the apparatus of the invention provides a tiltable mast within which the drill, chuck and hoist are mounted. The mast is tiltable about one axis for erecting and storage, and about another for angle drilling. The drill head, including an open chuck, travels on tracks on the mast, and may be tilted relative to the mast for pick-up of horizontal rods and other purposes. In addition, the drill head may be released from the mast and pivoted forwardly from over the hole to permit insertion of long rods or large diameter casings into the hole. The entire drive system is hydraulic and transmissionless, providing numerous advantages.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the drill rig, showing several different positions of the mast;

FIG. 2 is a rear end elevation of the rig with the drill head in lowermost position and with par-ts deleted for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the upper pivotal connection for the mast;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the lower pivotal connection for the mast;

' FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the drill head and showing its sliding and pivotal connections;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the drill head mounting means;

FIG. 7 is a section taken on line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a vertical section of the drill rod chuck and rotating means;

FIG. 9 is a rear elevation of the hoist mechanism;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the rig showing a drill rod being hoisted by use of the pivotal drill head;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation of the rig showing forward swinging of the drill head with its control cylinder'and piston; and

FIG. 12 is a enlarged side elevation showing the means for swinging the drill head forwardly, with parts removed for clarity.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the drill rig of the invention is adapted to be mounted on a truck 1 having a rigid frame or deck 2 for supporting the rig. Deck 2 extends rearwardly from the trucks rear axle and may be supplied with jacks 3 to support the truck on the ground during drilling operations.

In accordance with the invention, the drill rig comprises a rigid elongated mast 4 of tubular or other suitable members defining a generally rectangular framework having two front legs 5 and two rear legs 6. Front legs 5 are somewhat shorter than rear legs 6 so that when the mast is in its upright position legs 5 will be disposed above deck 2 and legs 6 will be supported on the ground.

Mast 4 is supported for movement between a horizontal lowered position and a vertical raised position. For this purpose, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 a pair of laterally spaced supports 7 are mounted to the rear portion of deck 2, and have head members 8 at their upper ends with bearing openings extending therethrough. In like manner, a support member 9 is secured to and extends slightly forwardly from each mast leg 5, and with a similar bearing opening. Normally a pivot pin 10 extends through the adjacent aligned bearing openings of members 8 and 9 and is locked in place, as-by locking cotter pins 11. Pivot pins 10 are thus on a generally transverse horizontal axis 12 disposed just forwardly of mast 4 and substantially above deck 2 and the mast leg ends.

For purposes of pivoting mast 4 about axis 12, an hydraulic cylinder 13 is pivotally mounted to deck 2 forwardly of supports 7 and has an extensible piston 14 pivotally secured to the forward portion of mast 4 above axis 12, as at 15. Piston 14 is selectively extended or retracted by hydraulic fluid in suitable hydraulic lines connected to an hydraulic pump 16 on deck 2 through a suitable valve, not shown, and hand control lever 17 on a rear mounted control panel 18 (FIG. 2). Pump 16 is operated by any suitable means, such as an engine 19 mounted on the deck.

When piston 14 is retracted, mast 4 is in its lowered position and rests on front supports 20. When piston 14 is extended, mast 4 is vertical and in position for vertical drilling operations. Piston 14 and mast 4 are also positionable in an infinite number of intermediate positions for angle drilling, as will be described. When the mast is vertically disposed, it may be mechanically secured or locked in position. For this purpose, and as best shown in FIG. 4, the lower ends of front legs 5 are provided with a forwardly extending bearing 21. Transverse pivot pins 22 extend through bearings 21 and through deck mounted lugs and are held in position by removable locking cotter pins 23. During angle drilling operations, pins 11 can be removed to release pivot pins 10 so that the entire mast will pivot about pins 22, the latter defining a transverse horizontal axis 24 parallel to and below axis 12 but closely adjacent deck 2.

The concept of the present invention includes mounting the drill head and hoist within the mast itself. For this purpose, and as best shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 the rear legs 6 are provided with inwardly extending guide bars 25 generally coextensive with the legs from about mid way of their length to a point spaced from the lower ends thereof. Each bar 25 is normally received within slots in a drill head mounting bracket 26 mounted on the bar for sliding movement there'along. Each bracket 26 is prevented from sliding off the lower end of its bar 25 by a removable pin 27 disposed at about deck height.

The brackets 26 support a drill head 25: as by a transverse trunnion or shaft 29 extending between the bracket and drill head. Each shaft 29 is fixed to drill head 28, which can pivot about a transverse axis 30 containing shafts 29. However, normally, such pivoting is prevented, as will be described.

Drill head 28 is supported and its movement longitudinally along the mast controlled by an hydraulic system including a pair of long cylinders 31 pivoted on a trans verse axis 32 at the top of rear legs 6, as by a suitable tongue and clevis structure 33. Cylinders 31 extend downwardly aboutone half the length of the mast and have long pistons 34 slidable therewithin. As best shown in FIG. 6, each piston 34 is provided with a tongue 35 at its lower end which is receivable between a first flange 36 extending upwardly from the respective bracket 26 and a second flange 37 extending upwardly from a sleeve 38 which surrounds pivot shaft 29. Head 28 is normally prevented from pivoting about axis 36 by a removable pin 39 which extends through sleeve 38 and shaft 29, but in some instances pin 39 may be removed for purposes to be described.

Drill head 28 comprises a framework which supports an oil motor 40 (FIGS. 2 and driven from pump 16 through suitable hydraulic lines and having a suitable control valve, not shown, operated by a hand control lever 41 on control panel 18. Motor 40 is connected through a gear train 42 to drive a rotary spindle 43 (FIG. 8) of the tubular open type which permits drill rods to extend thereth'rough. The spindle is normally positioned in line with rear legs 6. Spindle 43 forms part of an hydraulic chucking system which may be of any suitable type.

The chuck system shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings comprises a cap-like housing 44 secured to the upper end of the spindle. The top of housing 44 supports the upper ends of a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending springs 45 which bear at their lower ends on an annular piston 46 and bias the latter downwardly.

from cap 44 and which slidably engages the outer portion of the spindle wall. Sleeve 48 tapers radially outwardly in a downwardly direction to provide an inclined conical cam surface 49.

Spindle 43 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal slots extending therethrough, each said slot receiving a cam block 50 which is secured by the slot ends against longitudinal movement but which has inclined surfaces 51 abutting sleeve cam surface 49. Each cam block 50 is biased toward and against surface 49 by a plurality of radial springs 52 disposed between spindle 43 and the block.

The chucking system is adapted to grip a drill rod for rotation during drilling. For this purpose, the inner face of each c-am block 50 is provided with a pair of buttontype gripper jaws 53 which are secured to the block and which have serrated faces. The jaws may be rotated about their axes to present an unworn portion thereof to the drill rod Whenever one portion of the jaw becomes worn along a central line. Other types of jaws may be used.

Springs 45 bias piston 46 downward and thus cause blocks 56 and jaws 53 to be biased radially inward to hold a drill rod under mechanical pressure. Means are also provided to release the jaws from the drill rod. For this purpose, an annular chuck cylinder housing 54 is disposed concentic with spindle 43 and sleeve 48 and is spaced just beneath housing 44. Housing 54 contains an annular cylinder base 55 having an annular piston 56 which is normally biased downwardly by a plurality of springs 57. Piston 56 has a plurality of upwardly extending contact members 58 which extend through housing 54 and which are spaced slightly from piston 46. laws 53 are released when contact members 58 move upwardly to push piston 46 upwardly so that springs 45 are counteracted. For this purpose, the lower end of cylinder 55 is connected to pump 16 through suitable hydraulic lines having control valves, not shown, controlled by a hand operated lever 59 on panel 18.

The apparatus of the invention also includes a hoist mechanism disposed within the confines of legs 5 and 6 and actuatable independently from cylinders 31 and pistons 34. For this purpose, and as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, a rotatable hoist drum 60 is secured to and within mast 4 adjacent the lower portions of forward legs 5. Drum 60 is driven through suitable reduction gearing 61 from a second oil motor 62 also mounted within the mast and connected to pump 16 and controlled by a hand lever '4 63 at panel 18, similarly to oil motor 40. A cable 64 on drum 66 passes upwardly within the mast and over a pulley 65 and downwardly approximately between mast legs 6. The free end of cable 64 is provided with a suitable gripping means, such as a clevis 66 for connection with the upper end of a drill rod connector.

An operative procedure for drilling, using the device of the invention, will now be described. The device is, of course, extremely flexible and capable for other procedures and operations.

Assuming that a vertical hole is to be drilled for obtaining core samples or the like, truck 1 is driven to the desired location and positioned so that the rear central portion of deck 2, which is cut away as at 67, is disposed directly over the place where the hole is to be drilled. Lever 17 is actuated to cause mast piston 14 to extend and thereby raise mast 4 by pivoting it upwardly about axis 12. When a vertical attitude has been reached, the mast may be locked by inserting pins 22 and 23. Pins 39 are removed to permit drill head 28 to pivot about its axis 30.

As shown generally in FIG. 10-, a horizontally disposed drill rod 68 having a drill bit 69 at one end is then raised slightly and passed through the drill head spindle and connected to hoist cable 64. Retraction of pistons 34 and operation of hoist drum 60 will cause rod 68 to be raised from an angular to a vertical position with drill head 28 pivoting until it is again vertical as it moves upwardly on guide bars 25. The maximum distance head 28 can be raised is the piston retraction stroke or about one-half the mast height. If the drill head chuck is applied initially, the hoist is non-essential for raising, and the drill rod length is limited to the length of piston stroke. However, if chucking is done during or after raising, the hoist actually carries the rod, which is merely stabilized by spindle 43, and the rod may be raised to the top of the mast before chucking and can therefore be of mast length. In the latter case, the chuck is applied substantially intermediate the rod ends. Drill head 28 is then again locked in vertical drill position.

After chucking, lever 41 is actuated to rotate spindle 43 and rod 68 and pistons 34 are extended gradually to cause bit 69 to drill the hole. The usual practice of circulating fluid or air down through the drill rod will be utilized. Furthermore, the hoist drum control means will be set to permit relatively free unreeling of the cable.

If the rod is chucked intermediate its ends, when drill head 28 reaches adjacent deck 2 it must be unchucked, raised to a desired position on the upper portion of the rod and chucked again for continued drilling. When the top of the rod reaches adjacent deck 2, an additional length of rod must be brought up for attachment to the rod in the vertical hole. The hoist is now utilized by connecting cable 64 to the additional rod, which is usually horizontal, and pulling it up. The rods are then threaded together.

In order to stabilize cylinders 31 and hold them in transverse alignment, a cross-brace 70 may be secured to the lower cylinder ends and extends between them.

When the hole has been bored to the desired depth, utilizing one or more lengths of drill rod, it is usually desirable to remove the rod from the hole. The drill head chuck is unchucked and the hoist used to pull one length of rod out at a time, at which time the adjacent rods are unscrewed from each other, as by holding the top rod and chucking and turning the next lowermost rod.

After the drill rods are removed, it may be desirable to place casing in the hole. The deviec of the invention permits selective utilization of casing sections of any length up to the height of the mast without moving the rig from the hole. If the casing is passable through the drill head, it can be pulled up from a horizontal position by the hoist and then lowered through the head.

In many instances, the casing is too large to pass through the drill head. The invention provides means for moving the drill head out of the way. 'To accomplish this, pistons 34 may be extended to cause drill head brackets ,26 to ride off the bottom ends of guide bars 25 after pins 27 have been removed. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a cylinder and piston unit 71 is then connected between the forward portion of the mast and head 28 and the piston retracted to pull the head transversely forwardly in cut-away portion 67. Unit 71 is controlled by a lever 72 on panel 18. As best shown in'FIG. 11, the entire assembly of drill head 28, pistons 34, and cylinders 31 will thus pivot in a large are about transverse axis 32 at the top of the mast so the hole is no longer blocked. Hoist cable 64, which has not moved from its original position, is then attached to a horizontal casing and the latter is then raised to vertical position and then lowered into the hole. Any length of casing sections up to the length of the mast can be easily accommodated.

If it isdesired to remove drill head 28 from bars 25 at a position above the lower bar ends, brackets 26, can be provided with a removable side plate 73 (FIGS. 6 and 7). Removal of bolts 74 will release plate 73 to in turn release the head from the guide bars. Furthermore, head 28 can swing forwardly either in the vertical or in a tilted position of the mast.

In some instances it is desirable to drill an angle hole and to insert casings thereinto. The present invention provides this feature and is a major improvement over previous angle drilling apparatus.

Assuming that pins 22 and 23 have been inserted, pins 10 and 11 at axis 12 are removed. The operator then actuates lever 17 to pivot mast 4 about axis 24 until the proper upright angle is reached. Since axis 24 is lower on the mast and closer to the ground than axis 12, the lower end of the mast will remain close to deck 2 and close to the operator at control panel 18. In addition, drill head 28 will be closer to the collar of the hole for any given mast angle and for any given position of the head on the mast.

Drill rod hoisting, drilling, rod removal and casing setting may then proceed as in vertical drilling. The fact that the drill head and hoist are mast-mounted permits positioning of the mast at any suitable angle from the vertical without requiring any adjustment of drum 60, cable 64 or pulley,65. No angle change occurs between the hoist apparatus, drill head and mast.

The present invention provides a drill rig wherein the alignment of head, self-contained hoist and mast remains constant regardless of the drilling angle. Furthermore, the pivoting of the head and cylinder assembly about axis 32 will not affect the alignment of the hoist cable 64 with mast 4.

Whereas only one hydraulic pump has been shown to operate the various power functions of the drill rig, separate pumps may be used for each function without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

We claim:

1. In a drill rig, the combination comprising:

(a) a frame,

(b) an elongated mast disposed on said frame,

(c) first releasable pivot means defining a first axis and adapted to support said mast on said frame,

((1) second releasable pivot means defining a second axis parallel to and vertically disposed in relation to said first axis to support said mast on said frame,

(e) means to pivotally move said mast about one of said axes when the pivot means of the other of said axes is released,

(f) a drill head comprising drill rod chucking and rotating means mounted on said mast for movement therealong,

(g) support means for said drill head,

(1) said support means being actuatable to selectively move said drill head along the said mast in a desired direction,

(2) and said support means being pivotable about a third axis parallel to said first and second axes,

(h) means to pivot said support means about said third axis to move said drill rod chucking and rotating means transversely of said mast,

(i) said drill head being pivotable about a fourth axis,

(j) and hoist means mounted on said mast and pivotable therewith.

2. In a drill rig, the combination comprising:

(a) a frame,

(b) an elongated rigid mast disposed on said frame, said mast having forwardly and rearwardly disposed legs,

(c) guide means disposed along the rearward portion of said mast,

(d) a drill head comprising drill rod chucking and rotating means mounted on said guide means and releasable from the latter,

(e) and at least one hydraulic cylinder and piston unit pivotally secured to the upper portion of said mast and extending therefrom to said drill head for moving the latter longitudinally along said guide means,

(f) said cylinder and piston unit having a length of stroke so that it can extend to the lower portion of said mast,

(g) and means to pivot said cylinder and piston unit at the upper portion of said mast when said drill head is released from said guide means to move said drill head transversely of the mast.

3. The drill rig of claim 2:

(a) in which said drill head is pivotally connected to the lower end of said cylinder and piston unit,

(b) and means to lock said drill head to said cylinder and piston unit to prevent pivoting thereof.

4. In a drill rig, the combination comprising:

(a) a support,

(b) an elongated mast disposed on said support, said mast having forwardly and rearwardly disposed legs,

(c) a drill head comprising a drill rod chucking and rotating apparatus disposed adjacent said rearward legs and with said apparatus having an opening for receipt of a drill rod therein,

(d) first and second releasable pivot means defining generally parallel vertically spaced first and second axes adapted to support said mast on said support,

(e) a self-contained hoist mounted on said mast and disposed generally within the confines of said legs, and with said hoist being disposed for connection to a drill rod for pulling the rod through the opening in said drill head apparatus,

(f) and means for selectively pivoting said mast together with said drill head and hoist about either of said axes.

5. The drill rig of claim 4 which includes:

(a) a pivotal mounting between said drill head and said mast,

(b) and means for locking said drill head to prevent pivoting of the head relative to the mast.

6. The drill rig of claim 5 which includes:

means actuatable independently from said hoist for moving said drill head longitudinally along said mast.

7. In a drill rig, the combination comprising:

(a) a support,

(b) an elongated mast having forwardly and rearwardly disposed legs,

(c) a drill head disposed adjacent said rearwardly disposed legs and comprising a drill rod chucking and rotating apparatus having an opening for receipt of a drill rod therethrough,

(d) a self-contained hoist mounted on said mast and disposed generally within the confines of said legs, and with said hoist being disposed for connection to a drill rod for pulling the rod through the opening References Cited by the Examiner in said head apparatus, (e) means for selectively pivoting said mast together With said drill head and hoist about a horizontal axis, 2,334,312 11/1943 Caldwell 173 44 (f) drive means actuatable independently from said 5 2,960,311 11/1960 P 173 141 hoist for moving said drill head longitudinally along 3,172,484 3/1965 Klrby f Said mast 3,181,630 5/1965 Coburn 17344 (g) and means to move said drill head transversely and 3,190,370 6/1965 Kveuo'Aune et 173164 forwardly from adjacent said rearwardly disposed legs toward said forwardly disposed legs While said 10 FRED MATTERN Puma); Examine" drill head is connected to said drive means. L. P. KESSLER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A DRILL RIG, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: (A) A FRAME, (B) AN ELONGATED MAST DISPOSED ON SAID FRAME, (C) FIRST RELEASABLE PIVOT MEANS DEFINING A FIRST AXIS AND ADAPTED TO SUPPORT SAID MAST ON SAID FRAME, (D) SECOND RELEASABLE PIVOT MEANS DEFINING A SECOND AXIS PARALLEL TO AND VERTICALLY DISPOSED IN RELATION TO SAID FIRST AXIS TO SUPPORT SAID MAST ON SAID FRAME, (E) MEANS TO PIVOTALLY MOVE SAID MAST ABOUT ONE OF SAID AXES WHEN THE PIVOT MEANS OF THE OTHER OF SAID AXES IS RELEASED, (F) A DRILL HEAD COMPRISING DRILL ROD CHUCKLING AND ROTATING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID MAST FOR MOVEMENT THEREALONG, (G) SUPPORT MEANS FOR SAID DRILL HEAD, (1) SAID SUPPORT MEANS BEING ACTUATABLE TO SELECTIVELY MOVE SAID DRILL HEAD ALONG THE SAID MAST IN A DESIRED DIRECTION, (2) AND SAID SUPPORT MEANS BEING PIVOTABLE ABOUT A THIRD AXIS PARALLEL TO SAID FIRST AND SECOND AXES, (H) MEANS TO PIVOT SAID SUPPORT MEANS ABOUT SAID THIRD AXIS TO MOVE SAID DRILL ROD CHUCKING AND ROTATING MEANS TRANSVERSELY OF SAID MAST, (I) SAID DRILL HEAD BEING PIVOTABLE ABOUT A FOURTH AXIS, (J) AND HOIST MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID MAST AND PIVOTABLE THEREWITH. 